In the first edition of “On the Rocks,” Danny takes a look at Peckerheads, a bar that refers to itself as one of the “best frat bars in Austin.”

Peckerheads was founded in March 2007 by Kevin Ream who at the time was a senior at the University of Texas at Austin and former Phi Kappa Psi member, a UT fraternity. Before Ream opened Peckerheads, the bar was also known as Bar Austin and Spy Bar.

Declan O’Dwyer, a senior at St. Edward’s University and bartender at Peckerheads, says that working at the bar has been the perfect college job for him because he gets to meet new people every night.

The bar is open Tuesdays through Saturdays and has daily drink specials. All Mexican beers and tequila shots are $2 all night. Wednesdays and Thursdays are $2 you-call-its, where all mixed drinks and beers are the same price. Fridays and Saturdays have different drink specials every week.

“We run different shot specials every weekend and we really try to play off what’s popular with our customers,” O’Dwyer said.

The signature drinks at Peckerheads are the “Texas-Tea” and “H-bomb.” The Texas-Tea is a rendition of a Long Island Iced Tea that is served in a mason jar. The H-bomb is a potent shot of Hideous liquor and Red Bull.

Peckerheads is two stories with three bars and two dance floors. The bar plays a variety of music and DJ Amtrak can be found spinning on any given day.

“At the beginning of the night you can hear country and 80’s rock, but as the night progresses we play hip-hop and top 40 because that’s what everyone likes to dance to,” O’Dwyer said.

Peckerheads also participates in SXSW every year and has showcased an eclectic group of artists such as Jack Ingram, The Cool Kids, Pat Green, and B.O.B. This year, Peckerheads will be hosting the Rolling Stone Magazine party during the SXSW festivities.

Danny D’s verdict:

Peckerheads is the great for students who enjoy good music and want to have a good time on a college budget. Just be aware that most bars in this area of 6th St. are not necessarily the cleanest nor classiest places to enjoy.

Peckerheads has plenty of room but only one set of restrooms, and sometimes the lines can be long. The bar is one of the more fraternity/sorority-oriented downtown hotspots, and it tends to be at least partially booked for private parties.

Still, the bartenders provide exceptional customer service, and it’s not very difficult to become a regular at Peckerheads.

I give Peckerheads four out of five shakers.

About “On the Rocks”

Danny De Los Santos is a junior communication and theater major at St. Edward’s University. He is a photo editor for the Hilltop Views and enjoys exploring nightlife hotspots in Austin during his spare time. On the Rocks with Danny D. is a weekly blog that will run exclusively online at hilltopviewsonline.com every Friday.

Disclaimer: The opinions expressed by Danny De Los Santos are solely his own and do not necessarily reflect the views of Hilltop Views. Danny is not reimbursed for his expenses incurred in his reporting for this blog by Hilltop Views and will not accept any form of compensation from the establishments that he reviews. Finally, if you choose to drink, we ask that you do so legally and responsibly.